Children's Home run by Pasture View Nurturing Homes Ltd in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for children's home: 2570253 1 Registered provider: Pasture View Nurturing Homes Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The children’s home provides care for up to four children with learning difficulties and specialises in caring for those with autism.

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Information about this children’s home

Four children were under the care of the home at the start of the inspection. One of the children was being cared for in alternative accommodation. Another child was moved from the home on the second day of the inspection and an alternative provision was being actively sought for a third child by their social worker.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager left her post on the second day of the inspection. This was already scheduled to take place, with a plan for the deputy manager to take over managerial responsibility.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

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inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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inadequate

There are serious and widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected or their welfare is not promoted, and the care and experiences of children and young people are poor and they are not making progress.

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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inadequate

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2570253 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/04/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 20/09/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 01/06/2021 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children's home: 2570253 3

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inadequate

Due to the concerns identified at this inspection, Ofsted has issued a restriction of accommodation notice to the provider.

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inadequate

On occasion, children’s worries are dismissed or minimised. For example, a child expressed concern that a member of staff was using their mobile phone to make video calls while driving the car. This raises concerns about the driver giving due attention to the road, potentially putting the child in danger. It is also a privacy issue as the child in the car may not consent to being on the video call. The response to the child was that the member of staff’s actions were not illegal. The child was not supported to raise their concerns through a formal complaint process. One child said that they only feel supported by staff ‘sometimes’. On one occasion, staff were overheard minimising allegations made by children. Consequently, there is a risk that children may feel unable to share their concerns.

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inadequate

Staff do not always support children to have open discussions in children’s meetings. Written records of the meetings are brief and, at times, dismiss children’s views. A member of staff’s summary of the meeting stated, ‘[The child] did not respond to meeting well. Their behaviour and arguments were irrelevant to actual topics.’

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inadequate

Staff are not always proactive in using different communication techniques, such as exploring techniques successfully used with the children by other professionals. This could impair a child’s understanding or ability to communicate.

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inadequate

Although one child is making progress academically, advocacy for children to receive a better standard of educational support has been inconsistent. One child has the support of a tutor, which they enjoy. Other children have had little or no educational input and there is a lack of structure in their days. Staff do not always consult with education providers about plans for children before making decisions.

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inadequate

The home has good outdoor space for children to enjoy. However, the home’s decor looks worn, and staff do not repair damage in a timely manner. For example, there is a hole in the landing wall and in the bathroom ceiling. Staff report that children caused this damage. The manager does not have a clear process for monitoring the condition of the car used by staff to transport children. The manager was unable to say how damage to the car’s bodywork had been caused, or why there are elastic bands on the car’s wing mirror.

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inadequate

Children enjoy spending time with staff and going on activities, such as visits to the trampoline park. Staff support children with tending to animals and learning new skills. For example, the children are excited about the recent addition of a baby alpaca they could help tend to. Inspection report for children's home: 2570253 4

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

There has been a serious incident, where leaders and managers did not notify the police or other outside agencies in a timely manner. This resulted in a significant delay in the gathering of evidence which risked impeding investigations. Staff do not keep social workers and other professionals informed. This prevents effective multi- agency working when managing risk.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

Staff do not always support children to understand the potential risks posed to them. This is despite managers having concerns that one child is at risk of grooming. The manager does not support staff to explore issues and use professional curiosity with children. This results in staff being unable to assess risks or put in place risk-management strategies.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

One member of staff did not carry ligature cutters. This is despite knowing that children have a history of self-harm and there is a risk assessment stating that all members of staff should carry them. This places children at higher risk if an incident was to occur.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

Staff do not consistently supervise children as outlined in their care plans. Stakeholder feedback raises significant concerns about the lack of supervision of the children. For example, one child who should not access the internet alone has been able to do so. This has resulted in them contacting family members through social media.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

There have been two occasions where the manager has not shown proper scrutiny of safe recruitment. Leaders and managers are slow to act on safeguarding concerns relating to staff. They do not promptly put safety measures in place, leaving children vulnerable.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There was one incident where the manager provided the management oversight of a physical restraint she was personally involved in. This does not allow for appropriate scrutiny. There is a lack of practice reflection or evaluation of how successful any intervention is. This is despite managers being aware of restraint practice concerns. This prevents learning from incidents to improve practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

For a child in temporary accommodation, leaders and managers did not take enough consideration into his right to privacy. The child and staff have to walk through one another’s bedrooms to get to the bathroom.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers do not regularly record practice discussions with staff. This means that they are unable to review staff practice effectively. When staff discussions raise concerns about children’s behaviour, managers do not act on this. This results in concerns increasing and children not receiving the correct support. Inspection report for children's home: 2570253 5 Management oversight of the home not yet of a good standard. Leaders and managers fail to piece together information, or review previous concerns, when new information becomes available. This results in leaders and managers being unable to assess risk effectively or ensure that children are safe. Inspection report for children's home: 2570253 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe; have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm;

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Requirement Due date

that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(e)) 13 November Inspection report for children's home: 2570253 7 This relates to ensuring that appropriate safety measures are put in place and relevant professionals are alerted to safeguarding concerns in a timely manner. It also relates to ensuring that staff follow risk assessments and that children are supported to understand how to keep safe.

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(b) (2)(a)(c)(f)(g)(ii)(h))

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Requirement Due date

This relates to ensuring that children’s preferred communication styles are explored and supported as outlined in the statement of purpose. This also relates to ensuring that children are actively supported to make complaints and that there is clear documentation of the steps taken to rectify concerns. 13 November

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure; 13 November Inspection report for children's home: 2570253 8 a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(ii)(iv)(v)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

This relates to ensuring that records of physical restraint are detailed in their description of the event and any methods used to avoid restraint. It also relates to reflection being documented on the effectiveness of the measure used.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety. The registered person may only—

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or

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Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home,

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Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3). The requirements are that—

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Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

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Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform;

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1)(a) (2)(a)(b) (3)(a)(d))

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Requirement Due date

This relates to ensuring that staff are safely recruited and that appropriate steps are taken to ensure an individual’s suitability for the work that they perform. 13 November

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and positive responses to other children and adults. 13 November Inspection report for children's home: 2570253 9 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop socially aware behaviour; encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively and without harm to anyone;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand, in a way that is appropriate according to the child’s age and understanding, personal, sexual and social relationships, and how those relationships can be supportive or harmful;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop the understanding and skills to recognise or withdraw from a damaging, exploitative or harmful relationship;

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Requirement Due date

are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same;

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Requirement Due date

de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children;

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Requirement Due date

understand and communicate to children that bullying is unacceptable; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child is encouraged to build and maintain positive relationships with others. (Regulation 11 (1)(b)(c) (2)(a)(ii)(iii)(iv)(vi)(vii)(x)(xi)(xii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This relates to having supportive discussions with children to aid their understanding of their behaviour. It also relates to supporting children to understand the influence of others on their behaviour and risks.

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Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— 13 November Inspection report for children's home: 2570253 10 that staff—

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Requirement Due date

support each child’s learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

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Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment;

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Requirement Due date

maintain regular contact with each child’s education and training provider, including engaging with the provider and the placing authority to support the child’s education and training and to maximise the child’s achievement;

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Requirement Due date

help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible. (Regulation 8 (2)(ii)(iii)(vi)(viii))

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Requirement Due date

This relates to ensuring that schools are regularly consulted regarding changes to children’s circumstances and decisions made around education. It also relates to ensuring children have structured learning while not at school.

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Requirement Due date

ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction;

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and (Regulation 33 (4)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This relates to staff having regular practice-related supervision. 13 November

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Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff— 13 November Inspection report for children's home: 2570253 11 seek to involve each child’s placing authority effectively in the child’s care, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

seek to secure the input and services required to meet each child’s needs. (Regulation 5 (a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This relates to the sharing of incident records and weekly reports with children’s placing authorities, as agreed with them.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the social care common inspection framework. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. Inspection report for children's home: 2570253 12

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Pasture View Nurturing Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Pasture View Nurturing Homes Ltd, 92 Linkside, Bretton, Peterborough, Northamptonshire PE3 8PA

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Inspectors

Ellen Monk, Social Care Inspector Emma Dacres, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2570253 13 to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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